China Unveils Vision for ‘Polar Silk Road’ Across Arctic

China
published a white paper on its Arctic policy Friday, pledging cooperative
governance and elaborating its vision for a "Polar Silk Road."

"China,
as a responsible major country, is ready to cooperate with all relevant parties
to seize the historic opportunity in the development of the Arctic, to address
the challenges brought by the changes in the region," said the white paper
issued by the State Council Information Office.

The country
would like to "jointly understand, protect, develop and participate in the
governance of the Arctic, and advance Arctic-related cooperation under the Belt
and Road Initiative," according to the white paper.

The Silk
Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road (Belt and Road
Initiative), an important cooperation initiative of China, will bring
opportunities for parties concerned to jointly build a "Polar Silk
Road," and facilitate connectivity and sustainable economic and social
development of the Arctic, the white paper noted.

China vowed
to participate in Arctic affairs in accordance with the basic principles of
"respect, cooperation, win-win results and sustainability."

"While
pursuing its own interests, China will pay due regard to the interests of other
countries and the broader international community," it said.

Kong Xuanyou,
vice foreign minister, said at a press conference Friday that China's
participation in the development of the Arctic was a contribution that would
bring about development opportunities and social benefits.

"It is
completely unnecessary to doubt our intentions or worry about plundering of
resources or destruction of the environment," Kong said.

He also
said countries in the Arctic had set high thresholds and standards on
environmental protection, labor use, and commercial utilization during the
development of the Arctic.

"We
will abide by relevant standards and laws and make active contributions to the
economic development and people's welfare of Arctic society," he said.

Besides
giving importance to navigation security, China also eyes development of oil,
gas, mineral resources and other non-fossil energies, fishing and tourism in
the region. It said it would do so “jointly with Arctic States, while
respecting traditions and cultures of the Arctic residents including the
indigenous peoples and conserving natural environment.”

The white
paper also said that China is for peaceful utilization of the Arctic and
commits itself to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

With regard
to the Arctic shipping routes, "China maintains that disputes over the
Arctic shipping routes should be properly settled through friendly
consultations between concerned countries in accordance with international
law," Kong added.